Forward. Foremost among the goals of Rice Creek Field Station is the promotion ... Field Station Staff. Director. .... {
NATURAL AREAS
OF OSWEGO COUNTY RICE CREEK FIELD STATION Special Publication No. 2
Forward Foremost among the goals of Rice Creek Field Station is the promotion of environmental awareness. This has been a theme in college courses, school programs, summer courses for children, and programs for the public offered at the station. Knowledge about the environment for every citizen is more important today than ever before. In 1743 John Bartram, a colonial amateur botanist visited Oswego and observed a wild plant the local residents called Oswego Tea. This beautiful plant is rarely observed growing wild in Oswego County today. In John Bartrams time Globeflowcr, another native plant, was fairly abundant; today it is an endangered species. These are but two of many possible examples of native species that have been influenced by human induced environmental changes. We obviously cannot return the environment to its 1743 condition. Since Oswego County became a political entity in 1816 the number of residents has increased steadily. The projection is that this increase will continue into the future. As the size of the human population increases the environment will become correspondingly less hospitable for wild species. The Natural Areas Handbook gives a brief description with a guide to the major natural areas in Oswego County that are open to the public. Rice Creek Field Station has produced this handbook to acquaint visitors and residents with areas of natural beauty in Oswego County. It is hoped the users will remember that these are the last refuges for many wild species. Help us preserve them for future generations. Donald D. Cox, Director Rice Creek Field Station
This project was funded by the Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquarium Grant Program which is administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation for the Natural Heritage Trust.
RICE CREEK FIELD STATION ~ Special Publication No. 2 f\.._
7/ :::/,-
I 1
(
A Catalogue of Habitats and Facilities
Page 2
~£LFGJJ~£[L £~~£® @[? @®\YA'!l~@@ ©@GJJ~LFW Text prepared by JOHN A. WEEKS
Edited by Dr. Donald D. Cox Research by Todd Hunsinger Graphics by Ed Hawkins and Mike Solosky
Rice Creek Field Station is a unit of the SUNY College at Oswego President- Dr. Virginia Radley Provost-Or Donald Matthieu Acting Dean, Arts & Science -Dr. David King Dean, Professional Studies-Or. Elizabeth Moody
Field Station Staff Director.- o. D. Cox Asst. Director- Diann Jackson Caretaker-Nancy Barney Secretary-Vivian Golding
TABLE of CONTENTS FORWARD
Page 3
• • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . . • • • • . • • • . • • • • • • • • . • • • • . • • • . • • . (Inside Front Cover)
TITLE PAGE ••.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.•.••••••.•••••.••••••••• 2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
••
TABLE OF CONTENTS
0
••
0
•
•••••••••••
0
•••••••••••••••••••••••
0
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••
0.
0
••••••••••••••
0
••
0
•
0
0
••
3 •••••
MAP OF OSWEGO COUNTY
0
0
•••
0
••••••••
0
••••••••••
•••••
• •• • • • • • •• • • • • • •• •• • • •• •• • • •• •• • • • • •• . • • • • •• • • • • •• . • •• • •• • • • ••
THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS OF OSWEGO COUNTY THE NATURAL HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY
•••
THE CULTURAL HISTORY OF OSWEGO COUNTY
0
4-5
.••••••••••.•••.••••••••..••.•••..•••••. •••••
••••••••••••••••••••
••••••••••••••
0
•
•••
0
0
•••••••••
••••
0
0
0
0.
•••••
0
•••••••••••
•
0
6-7 8-9
••
10-11
0
Profiles of Natural Areas RICE CREEK Field Station DERBY HILL Observatory SNAKE SWAMP Preserve
® ................... •.••.•.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ® .................... •••••••••••••••••••••.••••••••••.
13
® ....................
14
(Introductory) • • . • • • • • • . • • • • .
15
•••••••••••••••••••• {[) •••••••••••••••...••
16
••••••••••••• , ••.••••••••••••••
STATE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS
••• •••. . •. •. ••••. • •
CURTISS-GALE Wildlife Management Area DEER CREEK Wildlife Management Area
••••••••••••••••••••••
HAPPY VALLEY Wildlife Management Area
13
@ . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . .. .
••••••••••••• ••••••••• •. ••••. •••••. . •
RICHARD A. NOYES Sanctuary
12
0 ....................
16
•.•.•••••••••••••••• {[) •••••••• ••.•••.••••.
17
{E)....................
18
(I}....................
19
••••.•••••••••••••••••••••••••••• (Introductory) . • . • • • • • • • . • • • •
20
•••••••••••••••••
(I}....................
20
Oswego 1 - KASOAG State Forest
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••
@ . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . .
21
Oswego 2 - WINONA State Forest
••••••••••••••••••••.••••••
® ....................
22
Oswego 3 - AMBOY State Forest
••••••••••••••••••••.•••••••
(D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
(E} ... ... ..............
23
(§}
Z4
LITTLEJOHN Wildlife Management Area
••••••••••••••••••••••
THREE-MILE BAY Wildlife Management Area STATE FOREST AREAS
••••••••••••••••••
Oswego-Lewis 1 - W. OSCEOLA State Forest
Oswego 4
&5-
CHATEAUGAY State Forest
Oswego 6- ALTMAR State Forest
•••••••••••••••••••
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Oswego 7- SANDY CREEK State Forest
••••
0
0
••
0
•••
0
••••
0
0.
(E) .... .. .............. ••••••••••••••••••••• {§) ........ .......... ..
••••••••••••••••••••••
Oswego 8- SALMON RfVER State Forest Oswego 9 & 10 - O'HARA State Forest
25
~
••••••.. •• •••••• •.••
26
(!) .................... @ . .. .. . . . . .. .. .. . . .. .
26
••••••••• {[) •••••••••••••• .••.•.
27
Oswego 11 -ORTON HOLLOW State Forest
••••••••••••••••••••
Oswego 12- TROUT BROOK State Forest
•••••••••••••••••••••
Oswego 14- BATTLE HILL State Reforestation Area
25
® ....................
••••••••••••••••••••••
Oswego 13 - STONE HILL State Reforestation Area
24
••••••••••
27
BATTLE ISLAND State Park
® .................... ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 0 ....................
CAMPSITES AND OTHER AREAS
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •G).@...................
SELKIRK SHORES State Park
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
NAVIGABLE AND FISHABLE WATERS SALMON RIVER & CONSTANTIA
• •••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••• ••••• ••••••••••
Fish Hatcheries
GUIDE TO HABITATS AND FACILITIES
............ FH1 ,FH2 • .. • .. • • • • • • .. • • ..
28 28 29
30-31 32
................................... (Inside Back Coyer)
Page 4
~
RICE CREEK Field Station
{[) DERBY HILL Observatory
{E)
SNAKE SWAMP Preserve
(£}
RICHARD A. NOYES Sanctuary STATE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS
{[) CURTISS-GALE Wildlife Management Area
{E)
DEER CREEK Wildlife Management Area
{[) HAPPY VALLEY Wildlife Management Area
{E) LITTLEJOHN Wildlife Management Area (I} THREE-MILE BAY Wildlife Management Area STATE FOREST AREAS
(D
Oswego-Lewis l - W. OSCEOLA State Forest •
O'l c: ..... Ql +-> "0 c:•..-
Ql O'l"O c:•..-
..... 3:
+JQJVI c: +-> c: ;:,roo
:c.....,._
Vl +-> "0
ttl
(.J ......
E;:, rtl"O (.J w
Curtiss-Gale (Oswego County)
NO
NO
NO
NO
Deer Creek Marsh (Oswego County}
NO
NO
YES
Happy Valley (Oswego County)
YES
YES
Littlejohn (Oswego/Jefferson Counties)
YES
Three Mile Bay (Oswego County)
NO
roc:
*
Restricted 10/l-12/31
c..u
tO Ql ;:, r- "0 O'l C..C:Ql
;:,c:;
ttl
'+-
E-o
C..•..-
+->>, c: r-
;:,3:
..... ttl
C:~r-
g';;,l
::I:QJVI +-> c: r-rtlO 3: +-> ..... OV'l+-'
..... >
+-> tO
~~r-
Ql Ql ;:, +-> "0 O'l rtlC:Ql
::r:o r- +->
3:·..-
.et:
.~
Ql QJC... +-> ro>.
3
cc
~'; QJO'l "0 Ql c:O::
::::>
Ql O'l"O c:•..-
~~
E
~
uo ..... c: ..r::: Vl Ql
Ql
c... >,
cc
O'l
..... 3:
.;:~1
C..Ql c..+-> ttl tO
c.. c..>, tOr-
~+->
::::> .0 0
+->
>
O'l c:
..r::: VI
~c:
1- Vl
1-0
l.L
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
YES
NO
YES
YES
n/a
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
::::>:::>0::
3
:::> 0::
~I
VI·..-
0
VI
0
Ql Ql r-
VI
~
>
"01tOe(
0 0::
......... Ql
'+-
·u
4- ·-....., o - Ql
Ql r.0 tO tO
>
c(
VI
Ql Ql r.0 tO
~
;:,
u
ttl
>
c(
~
Ql
0
c..
cc
::E
~
>
+->
Ql
..r:::
..... +->
ttl
..r:::
+-> 0
NO NO
X
YES YES* NO
NO YES
X
YES
n/a
NO
YES YES X
n/a
YES
n/a
NO
NO
X
YES
YES
n/a
NO
YES
X
NO
JJ Camping is by permit only (except for Whitney Pond) and the permit must be obtained before.
CURTISS- GALE Wildlife Management Area To
Page 16
waterfowl and songbirds use the river at this point, particularly in the fall. The relatively insulated segment of mature timber provides a park-like setting that adds to the serenity of the area and enhances the species of songbirds and mammals found here.
Hannibal
The area topography is gently rolling with an abrupt drop to the Oswego River. Vegetation consists of mature maple, basswood, tulip tree, American chestnut, black cherry, ash, beech and some hemlock with old field shrubs along the property boundaries.
AREA
Phoenix
To Syracuse
The area contains about 45 acres. Althouqh Curtiss-Gale is one of the smallest wildlife areas in the state, its position along the Oswego River and the large size trees found there make it unusual. A number of migratory
The Oswego County Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) has constructed a number of trails of varying lengths and a concealed observation blind located along the river. Individuals and educational groups are invited to use the area for birdwatching, nature hikes and a pleasant aesthetic experience. This area is a gift to the state by H. Salem Curtiss (1918} and Thomas and Ida Gale (1918).
DEER CREEK Wildlife Management Area 1200 acres on N.Y.S. Rt. 3, 10 miles north of Mexico, N.Y. In both habitat variety and accessibility, this is an unusual wildlife manaaement area. Over 500 acres of the total wetland is marsh. The remaining 233 acres is in swamp-forest of soft maple, willow, elm and ash. The meandering channel of Deer Creek plus other open channels within the marsh, allow for excellent wildlife viewing from canoe or rowboat.
I
"' z"' 1-
This is a superior area for the observation of wildlife, especially wetland birds and mammals and shorebirds. Management is designed to maintain habjtat diversity.
\ '
0
1 (!.
I
,--I
One of the most unusual features of this area is the mile of barrier beach and dunes which separate the lake from the wetland. Here typical dune and beach plants may be found. Four parking lots and a hand~boat launch site provide access to the interior by canoe, foot trail and cross~country skiing in winter. Camping, swimming and snowmobiling are prohibited.
\
a:
:.t ...I
Nearly 350 acres of hardwood forests and 80 acres of abandoned cropfields provide varied upland habitat.
\
0
w-
_,r.., I
I
I ~.0 I ~ I I I
I I
I I
/
DEER CREEK MARSH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA
t
N
HAPPY VALLEY Wildlife Management Area Totaling some 8,645 acres, HAPPY VALLEY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA is the largest wildlife management area in Oswego County.
'
Page 17
Wildlife associated with uplands and water are common and include deer, hare, squirrel, beaver, muskrat, raccoon, mink, weasel, fisher, and porcupine to name only a few. A large variety of songbirds as well as grouse, woodcock, turkey, and waterfowl are also on the area. Happy Valley has also been the field laboratory for research studies in the past and currently is the site for a long term grouse habitat improvement study.
Due to the large size and various management techniques applied over the years, Happy Valley offers a variety of habitats and wildlife. Fields in all stages of succession exist along with northern hardwoods such as sugar maple, beech, yellow birch, and softwoods such as hemlock, white pine, and spruce. In the late 1930's WPA and CCC crews constructed three deep water structures on the area (96 acre Long Pond, 96 acre Whitney P.ond and 25 acre Mosher Pond). These ponds supply good fishing for largemouth bass and panfish. In the 1950's, emphasis on waterfowl marsh development brought about the construction of seven waterfowl marshes in the area.
A good system of town roads and some maintenance roads provide access for hunting and fishing activities during good weather months. Hiking, birding, and cross country skiing are favorite activities also. Happy Valley is accessible by route 104 or county route 26. For information call: (607) 753-3095.
f •
SCALE IN FEET
~
' I I • I
N
I
I
1....
I
I I I
I
I
'
'
2000
0
VALLEY
CiE:::J
I
I I I I
I
1
LITTLEJOHN Wildlife Management Area
Page 18
Most of the wildlife typical of other state lands in eastern Oswego County, are found in Littlejohn, but there is also opportunity to see birdlife typical of the Adirondacks and southern Canada.
This large remote wildlife management area consists of over 8000 acres of nearly unbroken woodlands in Oswego and Jefferson Counties. About 3/4 of the total acreage is in Oswego County. The upland forest areas are heavily interlaced with wetlands, mostly wooded. In addition to typical northeastern hardwoods, there is an intermixture of paper birch, white pine, spruce and balsam. Several beaver flows provide marshland settings and there is one pond of just over 100 acres in size. Headwaters of three watersheds arise in the Littlejohn area. Cottrell Creek, Beaver Creek both flow south into the Salmon River, while Raystone Creek flows northwest into South Sandy Creek and tributaries of Little Sandy Creek penetrate the lands between.
Although there are no recreational facilities other than roads and trails, at Littlejohn, a wide variety of activities are possible there including hunting, fishing, hiking and boating (no motors allowed} during the milder months and cross-country skiing in winter. Picnicking and camping are allowed but a permit is required for camping. Snowmobiling is prohibited. There is a fire tower on Castor Hill in the southeast corner of the property. Good access to the area is afforded by an internal road system. There are twelve parking areas distributed over the area.
r
N
Mannsville Rd.
--l
___ J
L·1
LITTLE JOHN WILDLIFE
r-' MANAGEMENT
8021 acres 9 miles east of Sandy Creek on County Rt. #17
AREA
I _J
THREE-MILE BAY Wildlife Management Area
The overall management plan calls for those practices which encourage wetland species as well as some which favor a vartety of small game and non-game species which inhabit the upland fringes of wetlands. Included in addition to cover management, is the provision of food plants and nesting structures.
3497 acres on Toad Harbor Road 2 miles west of Constantia This area is a portion of the north shore wetlands of Oneida Lake. Historically known as Toad Harbor Swamp, it is an area of organic (muckland) soils developed over acid beach or outwash sands. The swamp forest tree species are predominantly soft maples, with some cedar, ash, elm and alder. Upland portions include also white pine, white cedar, ash, oak and hickory. About 360 acres of former farmland is in transition between shrubland and pioneer woodland with spirea, highbush cranberry, dogwoods, aspen, pincherry and grey birch.
Wildlife which may be observed includes wetland species such as water birds, beaver, muskrats and shore birds in season. Species encountered more often in uplands include deer, fox, ruffed grouse and a variety of song birds. Blinds are provided under permit, for waterfowl hanting. Fishing access to Oneida Lake is provided at Phillips Point. Other activities include boating (without motors}, hiking, cross-country skiing, picnicking, and nature studies. Camping permits may be obtained by environmental education ~roups.
Approximately 45 acres is kept in herbaceous or oldfield cover by mowing, burning or other means of control.
i
1 I
Page19
STATE FOREST AREAS The 14 state forest areas in Oswego County are concentrated in the northeastern quarter of the county. Although they are located mostly on land that was marginal for agriculture and therefore, abandoned during the first half of the century, they still present a rich diversity of terrain and cover types. Most of them are managed primarily for the encouragement of forest production, but they are still open to a wide variety of public use including hunting, fishing, hiking and camping where appropriate.*
Oswego-Lewis 1 pa9e 20 WEST OSCEOLA State Forest With over 1000 acres of hardwoods and mixed forests, access to the east branch of the Salmon River and Prince Brook, and a posted internal road system, West Osceola Forest offers a wide range of recreational opportunities throughout the year. (Snowmobiling, X-country skiing, boating, hiking, fishing.) Management is for forest products and recreational use. It has nearly 700 acres of conifer plantations.
Forest types range from mixed ha~dwood stands to conifer plantations. In addition, some areas have large tracts of wetlands including both marshland and swamp forest. Several have large bodies of standing water. Some have excellent trout streams and some are more suitable for warm-water fishing. Because of the great diversity of terrain and habitat the variety of wildlife and plant life is also notable. One of the most interesting features is that some of the state forests harbor birds and plants at the southern extremities of their range. These are forms which are usually associated with Canada or with the heart of the Adirondacks. *For more information contact: Divisions of Lands and Forest, P.O.Box 5170 Fisher Avenue, Cortland, N.Y. 13045.
i-~
.
i-·--·-.l
\
I
.
0
\
1
I.
' °
.
cr.n
STATE
.
r
i"'l
~
~
:"':
:1 r.n 0 (')
I.
~
I
ij i ',· i L:; i..... I! i ·----1 i t-·-·-.-.r·-·-._j ! PVT
.
! clark
I
j-·-·---.J
FOREST
Rd. '
I.
i L.
:II
-·-·-.I l'j
"'-.... ........._J~
~.O.•·•wF·r.· ()~~·0
i
('
-1/),·I
1900 acres
•
('·~~•~
1
~
.I '
~
4 miles south east of Redfield
~
.
STATE FOREST AREAS The 74 state forest areas in Oswego County are concentrated in the northeastern quarter of the county. Although they are located mostly on land that was margr"nal for agriculture and therefore, abandoned during the first ha1f of
the century, they sti11 present a rich diversity of terrain and cover types. ~~~\ ~1 \\\~\t\ b.T~ Wlat\~~~~ ~T\W~~'f\\ ~ 1~'f t\\~
~t\t~\l'\'\~~~"\ ~' '~"~~\ ~"~~\lt\\~"" ~\l\ \~~1
'-'t~ ~\\\\ ~~~~ \~ "~\~~ 'f~'t\~\'i ~' ~~~\\t ~~~ \"-t.\\l~\"~ \\\l"-'-'"~ .. ~'~"'"~ .. \\\\.\"~ ~"~ t.~"'\\'"-~ "'~~T~ l1~~T~~T\ l1't~ .i
c
.._,
·~
0> 0>
c
·~
c
.._,
0>
c
u
·~
·~
·~
c
VI
:::>
u
..c
c
3:
-"" :I:
:I:
i:
·~
VI
u ·~
c
u
·~
0..
>, ~
·~
E
0>
0>
c ·~ c. E
c ·~ c. E
-c
s..
-c
"'
0
s..
"'
-c
>,
0
·~
:::>
·~
~
s..
c
E
A - RICE CREEK Field Station
N
X
N
N
X
N
N
N
B - DERBY HILL Observatory
N
N
N
N
X
N
N
N
N
N
N
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
0
X
C - SNAKE SWAMP Reserve
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N. N
N
N
0
0
0
X
X
X
0
0
0
D - NOYES Sanctuary
N
N
N
N
X
N
N
N
N
N
N
0
X
X
X
X
N
X
X
X
E - CURTISS-GALE WMA*
N
X
N
N
X
N
N
N
X
N
N
0
0
0
0
0
X
X
0
0
F - DEER CREEK WMA*
N
X
N
10 0
X
N
X
N
N
0
X
0
X
X
X
X
0
0
G - HAPPY VALLEY WMA*
N
X
N
0
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
H - LITTLEJOHN WMA*
N
X
0
X
0
X
X
0
X
0
0
I - THREE-MILE BAY WMA*
N
X
0 0 0 0 0 N
X
X
0
X
X
0
0
0
0
J - WEST OSCEOLA State Forest
X
K - KASOAG State Forest
c
I
·~
·~
X
0..
"'
LL.
·x
s..
"' c;
s..
"'
u
0 N 0 N 0
X
X
X
N
X
X
X
X
N
X
X
0
X
N
X
X
N
X
X
X
X
N
N
N
N
0
X
0
X
0
X
X
X
X
N
X
N
N
X
X
X
N
N
N
N
0
X
0
X
X
X
X
X
X
L - AMBOY State Forest
X
X
N
N
X
X
X
N
N
N
N
0
0
X
X
0
X
X
X
X
M- WINONA State Forest
X
X
N
N
X
X
N
N
N
N
N
0
0
0
X
X
X
X
X
X
N - CHATEAUGAY State Forest
X
X
N
N
X
X
X
N
N
X
N
0
0
X
X
0
X
X
X
X
0- ALTMAR State Forest
X
X
N
N
X
X
X
N
N
N
N
0
X
X
X
0
X
X
X
X
P - SANDY CREEK State Forest
N
X
N
N
X
X
X
N
N
N
N
0
0
X
X
0
X
X
X
X
Q - SALMON RIVER State Forest
X
X
N
X
X
X
X
N
X
X
X
0
0
0
X
0
X
X
X
X
R - O'HARA State Forest
X
X
N
N
X
X
X
N
N
N
N
0
X
0
X
0
X
X
X
X
S - ORTON HOLLOW State Forest
X
X
N N
X
X
X
N
N
N
N
0
0
X
X
0
X
X
X
X
T - TROUT BROOK State Forest
N
X
N
N
X
X
X
N
N
N
N
0
0
0
0
0
X
X
X
X
U - STONE HILL State Forest
N
X
N
N
X
X
X
N
N
N
N
0
X
X
X
0
0
X
X
X
V - BATTLE HILL State Forest
X
X
N
N
X
X
X
N
N
N
N
0
0
X
X
0
X
X
X
X
W- SELKIRK SHORES State Park
N
X
X
X
X
N
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
'
X - BATTLE ISLAND State Park 0 0 X X X X 0 0 N X N N N N X N N N N 0 X - Present or Permitted~~~ Some Restrictions Exist - Contact Office for More Information N - Not Present or Not Permitted; 0 - No Significant Acreage Present * - Wildlife Management Area - See Page 15 for More Inf?rmation
